Bachmann deputy CM to depart

On the heels of our report that Michele Bachmann campaign manager Ed Rollins is stepping back into an advisory role, citing health concerns, comes word that his deputy, David Polyansky, is leaving the campaign.

"I wish Michele nothing but the best, and anyone who underestimates her as a candidate does so at their own peril," Polyansky told POLITICO.

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But a GOP source familiar with the situation said that Polyansky had "strategic differences on the path forward" with the candidate, who has struggled to gain traction in the last few weeks.

Polyansky and Rollins led the team that brought Bachmann to her Ames Straw Poll win in Iowa, along with a handful of others like veteran pollster Ed Goeas. It wasn't immediately clear who was taking over the top two day-to-day slots.

Bachmann is known for having had an unusually large number of staffers from her congressional office depart in a short time frame, although a campaign spokeswoman said they'd always planned on restructuring.